JAMMU, Nov 11 (Agencies): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah entered the Jammu Civil Secretariat on Monday, marking his first official visit to the winter headquarters for the season. He was received with a ceremonial guard of honour as operations for the Jammu and Kashmir administration shifted to Jammu for the winter.
This shift marks a significant seasonal move for the Union Territory, as the Civil Secretariat and other government departments operate from Jammu until spring. Although this change resembles the traditional Darbar Move, it is not the full-scale relocation once promised by the National Conference (NC) in its Assembly campaign. Instead, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with other Ministers, will primarily be based in Jammu but may travel across the Union Territory as required.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is already stationed in Jammu as part of the administration’s winter operations. According to an order from the General Administrative Department (GAD) issued on 23 October, Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments were instructed to begin operating from the Jammu Secretariat starting 11 November, while their presence in Srinagar will continue as necessary.
The Estates Department has been tasked with arranging accommodation for these officials and staff members in Jammu. Unlike the historic Darbar Move, which involved biannual relocations of entire departments between Jammu and Srinagar, this shift will rely on a partially digitised system for efficiency, reducing the administrative costs previously borne by the erstwhile state’s exchequer.
The Darbar Move dates back to the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872, designed as a seasonal solution to Jammu and Kashmir’s contrasting climates. However, in 2021, the practice was suspended as digital record-keeping became more viable. The business community in Jammu, which benefitted from the influx of government employees and visitors during the winter, has since expressed concerns about the economic impact of the suspension. Various political parties, including the NC and Apni Party, have pledged to reinstate the tradition if elected, citing the benefits for both administration and the local economy.
The current arrangement maintains a partial seasonal shift to Jammu, balancing administrative needs with modernised processes, as the Civil Secretariat and key officials settle into their winter quarters for the season.